Rosterbation

Obviously, yesterday's signing of Ryan Lilja (which is pending a physical) is quite a coup for John Elway & Co., following the season-ending injury to Dan Koppen.

But given that J.D. Walton may not be back at all this season, the lack of center experience for Manny Ramirez and C.J. Davis, and the apparent developmental struggles of Philip Blake, can we be sure the Broncos are done adding depth there?

Accordingly, another possibility has popped up, in the form of Geoff Hangartner (PFR), who was just released by Carolina.

Denver waived undrafted rookie tight end Lucas Reed on Friday and added former Kansas City tight end Jake O'Connell (6-3, 250) on Saturday to replace him.

In four seasons with the Chiefs, O'Connell started eight of the 35 games in which he appeared, totaling 15 catches for 108 yards and no touchdowns. Kansas City drafted him in the seventh round of the 2009 Draft.

The Broncos have inked 2013 first-rounder Sylvester Williams, who had been their only unsigned player. Denver selected the North Carolina defensive tackle 28th overall, and he figures to play a significant role within the team's line rotation.

According to Mike Klis, the contract is worth $7.6M over four seasons, including $3.9M up front and $6.1M in guarantees.

According to Bill Williamson, the Broncos will visit with offensive lineman Travelle Wharton (6-4, 312), who was recently released by the Bengals after a year on IR.

Wharton spent his first eight seasons in Carolina, which of course means he's well-acquainted with John Fox and line coach Dave Magazu. He visited with the Panthers on Tuesday, but left without a deal.

Originally drafted by Carolina in 2004, the former Gamecock has started all 99 regular season games in which he's played, all of them with the Panthers.

According to CBS4's Vic Lombardi, the Broncos have gotten serious in their negotiation with Ryan Clady toward a long-term deal. Lombardi reports that the team's latest offer includes $33M in guarantees, which would cover the first three years of a multiyear contract.

If that's $33M in full guarantees - meaning there are no outs for the team, like the one that resulted in Elvis Dumervil's release - then a deal must indeed be getting pretty close, as CBS4 suggests.

Reports from the DP's Mike Klis have varied wildly, pegging the guaranteed portion of Denver's final 2012 offer at $28M last July, and at just $16M more recently.